Brucellosis is an extremely infectious disease caused by Brucella bacteria that affect many animals, including sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, elk and bison. In humans, brucellosis can also manifest symptoms similar to flu, with severe infections affecting the nervous system and lining of the heart. Although it is not common in the US, outbreaks can occur in areas where there are no strict public health and animal health programs.

A new method based on DNA fingerprinting, alled "HOOF-Prints," for Hypervariable Octameric Oligonucleotide Fingerprints, has been developed by scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), allowing early detection of potential sources of Brucellosis outbreaks. This is a useful tool for animal health officials that could help in identifying and isolating infected animals.

"There are few genetic markers for Brucella species that can be used to trace outbreaks," says Bricker. "HOOF-Prints lets us characterize Brucella isolates through repeated, short DNA sequences-known as tandem repeats-that form 'hot spots' for accelerated mutation."

Read more about the HOOF-prints from the ARS News and January issue of the Agricultural Research magazine.

Photo: USDA ARS